The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1887-12-29
The 10Th Maine.
IENTHACTs FROM ARMY LETTERS FROM THE
FRONT.

NO. t.
The victory of the second days fight was de-
cisivc. The LIST brigade of the Iron Division
was the first to see the backs of the enemy,
and the 18th was the first regiment to gain and
hold full possession of that part of the field.
1t assisted in the recapture of several pieces Of
cannon. besides sending many prisoners to the
rear. But sad was the spectacle around us.
The dead and dying covered the ground, and
wild cries for help. dismal groans and broken
prayers, mingled with tie dying echoes of
thunder in the distance in that ever memorable
twilight. Presently it was dark and we picked
our way back across the field as best we could
to avoid trampling upon the dead and wounded
The repulse of the enemy had been complete.
but ii was certain they would renew the con-
| tlict on the morrow. The wounded were re-
moved from the field as fast as possible and Il
few of the dead buried, but chiefly prepare
tons We're being made to receive an attack OH
the morning. Fresh supplies of ammunition
were distributed to the batteries and 60 rounds
| to the men. Dead horses and broken caiSsons
were removed from the field and everything
/ done TO forward and receive an attack on the
morrow. Soon all was quiet with the eXcep-
ton of the slIrcks of the dying borne through
| the smoky atmosphere, and ever and anon Il
| stray picket shot. The weary men at last slept
soundiy. forgetful of the terrible scenes of the
day and the ungathered harvest of death
strewn around them. Morning dawned upon
a Notwithstanding scene. As the first streaks of
! light >anted from the east. Generals with
their escorts could be seen riding along the
line perfecting the programme for the day.
The men awoke from their few hours sleep
| fully conscious Of another days struggle with
the enemy. Ratons had given out and we
must fight empty stomachS. Three COM
! panies OF the 10Th were advanced rs >kirmshers
and mine was among the number. The men
Were deployed slowly and steadily in the face
of the rebel sllarp-shootcrS. who forwarded
| their compliments without stint. The line was
too small TO deserve many shells or it would
have received them. Our position was in an
open field with no shelter in front to protect
us from rebel sharl-shooters, and nothing
above to shield us from the burning rays of
scorchng July sun. The men lay flat on their
| faces to present as small target possible. In
this position We lay for ten hours suffering Sc
vcrely from thirst and heat. At times during
/ the day eur boys would pop away at the enemy
hut they We're too well shielded to receive much
harm. About the middle Of the afternoon the
pieces of the rebel artillery gave the signal.
Almost instantly shot and shell from two hun
dred pieces of rebel artillery went screaming
over our heads Our own batteries seen re-
piled and for two hours We're hurting the mis-
ses of destruction and death. All passed
quietly over our heads were in place
of security. Only few were hurt. BY and
hy came relief. 1t requires less nerve to face
the enemy man to man IN open field than to lie
down under fire with 10 chance to retaliate.
There may be less danger in the latter but the
testimony of all gives preference to the form
el. The enemy were advancing, aud | assure
you it was a relief at that particular time,
long hours of pro>tration on the ground. side
!hy side with hundreds of rebel dead, under
hot July sun and suffering With thirst, was not
al agreeable situation. The enemy advanced
III solid columns against the frail lines of the
Fad Corps who held tie centre of the line at Il
point near the Baltimore turnpkc-a point
which II the enemy could once obtain would
insure them success. On thoy came. needless
of the few men who stood before them, whose
only alternative was to retire or be annihilat-
ed. Slowly the men fell back. firing Into the
rebels as they did SO and every shot taking
effect. Soon the men reached the main line
and then the fight began in earnest. Col
fog'er commanded the skirmi>h line on that
memorable afternoon and VIII give his des-
crlplon OF that last rebel charge at Getty>-
burg: 1.-THE charging column was composed
OF ten thousand picked men. the flower OF the
| febel army, and was tonlnanded by Gem
| era! Pickett. 1T was aimed at the centre
OF the line and fell upon the Second
Corps, and the boys who were there. For
three days had the battle RACED. Time and
AGAIN had Lee charged our lines only to he
driven back with terrible loss OF life. lie
determined to make one more desperate at
tempt to break our lines and drive us from our
position. FORMING his men on the opposite
bill> ne prepared for tue attack, While we. al
most GREATNESS. awaited their coming. The
mouths OF our cannon opened TO receive the
enemy. the men behind the guns like statues of
steel; the long lines of infantry clinched their
Files as only men Will clnch when inspired
With the energy OF DESPERATION. Not long had
we to wait. for As the rebel cannon ceased their
lire there appeared hr>t Il line OF skirmlsherS
and then the solid gray lines of rebel infantry.
Down the long slope they came. magnificent in
Ihe!r >teadine>>, and confident in their bearing.
rs they came IN range our artillery. double
sholted. opened upon them terrible fire of
grape shot and canister tearing its way
from rank to rank and >trewing the ground
WITH the forms OF mltllated men. Not once
did this magnificent charging column WAIVER or
turn but closing up lis broken ranks on it
pressed as steady and fearless as out Oh a
parade. All is silent as death except the short.
sharp orders of the officers As they directed
ilie movements OF the men. On they came I'M
Ill they reached within two hundred yards Of
cur line when that well known rebel yell burst
! upon our ears and the rebel column rushed to
theattaek at full run. But at that moment from
ten thousand rifles along our lines there burst
solid sheet of tire. and a storm of lead met them
fun i'll the face. For moment they hesitated,
then onward they pressed. charging up to the
very mouths of the cannon and hurting them
selves with almost irresistible force upon our
thin lines of infantry. For moment the lines